Leeds United could sign Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf

Ao Tanaka 'superstar potential' detailed as new eyes to gaze upon Leeds United

Dan is a sports writer and broadcaster, who wrote for Breaking Media Limited's club sites between May 2024 and May 2025. Graduating from the University of Huddersfield in 2018 with First Class Honours in Sports Journalism, Dan has worked with several EFL clubs, as well as with BBC Radio, talkSPORT and TNT Sports. He previously resided in Sydney, Australia, where he continued his career as a freelance writer and broadcaster in various sports.

Published on:

05 Sep 2024, 2:10 am

Leeds United summer signing Ao Tanaka carries "superstar potential" and will bring new eyes to Elland Road, according to Nancy Froston.

Froston's report in The Athletic [5 September] claims that the midfielder - a "poster boy" of Japanese football - has not joined Leeds accidentally, and can bring a new and welcome dynamic to the club.

A fresh gaze is poised to focus on Daniel Farke's side based on Tanaka's status in his homeland as a high-end brand model and potential successor to the likes of Hidetoshi Nakata and Keisuke Honda.

Tanaka arrived late in the transfer window from Fortuna Dusseldorf, and made his debut at the weekend against Hull City.

Froston said: "Leeds have signed far more than just a classy midfielder, however, with Tanaka’s addition bringing commercial opportunities for both club and player.

"He is seen as one of the poster boys of Japanese football, something which will bring new eyes to Leeds’ fortunes.

"Cool, committed and with superstar potential, Tanaka is not a run-of-the-mill signing for Leeds and neither is the player’s decision to come to Elland Road an accident. Both have big ambitions for this season."

Ao Tanaka with Leeds United cult hero potential

Tanaka's arrival at Leeds could turn out to be a masterstroke - certainly in the Championship, he is a hugely exciting talent to bring through the door.

The 27-cap Japan international was wanted in the Premier League and had begun the season as a reliable starter in Fortuna's midfield.

Some have anticipated Tanaka to shift Ilia Gruev out of the starting XI in Farke's midfield in the long run, a headache the manager has certainly not been too used to with the small squad he is working with.

Japanese midfielder Ao Tanaka

Whether the 25-year-old becomes a cult hero or a footballing hero remains to be seen - there are distinct definitions between the two, and his importance on the pitch may even exceed the commercial opportunities off it.

As ever with Japanese internationals, his arrival brings an additional fanbase with it, and could be a useful opportunity to grow the club's brand in a nation that loves global football.

In other Leeds news, David Norris is worried the club did not bring in enough players.

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